Venezuela earthquakes: Venezuelans in London describe heartbreak

The death toll from the powerful earthquakes that struck northern Venezuela a week ago has risen to nearly 2,600, according to interim President Delcy Rodriguez. Authorities say nearly 800 buildings collapsed and that response operations and damage assessments are ongoing. More than 10,000 are injured, and tens of thousands more are unaccounted for.

The massive tremors - with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 - probably damaged or destroyed close to 60,000 buildings, according to an initial assessment of satellite data from Nasa.

We broadcast from a El Pollote - a Venezuelan restaurant in London that has become a donation centre for earthquake relief. We hear from the restaurant's owner Rotsen and fellow Venezuelans in London - Thamy, Andrea, Sebastian and Pat - to get a sense of the loss and devastation, as well as the love they have for their country.

Presenter: James Reynolds

(Photo: Thamy, Andrea, Sebastian and Pat join owners Rotsen and Katherine at their Venezuelan restaurant-turned-earthquake-donation-centre, El Pollote, in London, 3 July, 2026. Credit: Iqra Farooq)